Algae-powered military jets?

Researchers at Sandia National Laboratories in Albuquerque, N.M. and Livermore, Calif., hope to produce military Jet Propellant 8 (JP-8) fuel from plants, including microalgae, for the U.S. and NATO.

The 18-month effort is led by UOP, LLC, a Honeywell Co., and backed by a $6.7 million Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency award.

Sandia researchers are evaluating oil crops that will not compete with food and feed markets. They want crops that don’t need higher-quality agricultural land, and demand less energy and fresh water than other crops.

Fuel made by the new process will have to meet military specifications and should be 90% energy efficient to reduce waste and production costs. UOP expects the technology will one day be used to make commercial jet fuel.